This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2018/jul/06/thailand-cave-rescue-looming-rain-clouds-could-force-quick-rescue-decision-live

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 22 Version 23
Thailand cave rescue: Thai government announcement expected at press conference - live Thailand cave rescue: Thai government announcement expected at press conference - live
(35 minutes later)
A journalist at the rescue site wears a t-shirt saying ‘Journalism is not a crime’.
Reporters Without Borders recently condemned the Thai junta’s crackdown on news and information since the military coup in 2014.
It has urged the international community to take a firmer line with the regime, which has “stepped up online censorship and prosecutions of media outlets in recent months”.
According to Freedom House, Thailand has one of the least free medias in the world with authorities banning hundreds of sites in the past four years.
the story of the wild boars, like most important stories, asks you to care about people. if you think journalism can be a crime, you’re just saying you don’t care about certain people. #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง 🐗 ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/yMqNuR4GoI
Stalls have been set up around the camp to give out food, coffee, toiletries and underwear to anyone that needs it.
There’s a true collective spirit at the camp site and everyone appears to be doing what they can to aid the rescue effort.
Meanwhile, people have been receiving free haircuts throughout the day.
Jacob Goldberg is at the scene of the rescue site waiting for the press conference to begin along with reporters from around the world who have assembled in anticipation of the interior minister’s announcement.Jacob Goldberg is at the scene of the rescue site waiting for the press conference to begin along with reporters from around the world who have assembled in anticipation of the interior minister’s announcement.
Crowds of police officers are scurrying back and forth across the rescue camp like something is about to happen. A generator hums in the background. A few drops of rain are falling.Crowds of police officers are scurrying back and forth across the rescue camp like something is about to happen. A generator hums in the background. A few drops of rain are falling.
Spotlights shine on the platform where the interior minister is expected to make an announcement. Reporters are lingering around the platform. We’ve been waiting for hours.Spotlights shine on the platform where the interior minister is expected to make an announcement. Reporters are lingering around the platform. We’ve been waiting for hours.
Experts have further described how hazardous the journey out of the cave will be for the boys.Experts have further described how hazardous the journey out of the cave will be for the boys.
Prof Peter Styles, Professor of Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Keele University, said:Prof Peter Styles, Professor of Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Keele University, said:
The difficulty is that these are not single caves but a series of linked caverns. These are caused by water laced with CO2, which forms a weak acid and dissolves the limestone. The cave system (which may run many many miles) tends to be liked by narrow connections that can easily flood which is clearly what has happened here as the storms occur.The difficulty is that these are not single caves but a series of linked caverns. These are caused by water laced with CO2, which forms a weak acid and dissolves the limestone. The cave system (which may run many many miles) tends to be liked by narrow connections that can easily flood which is clearly what has happened here as the storms occur.
The fact that a diver has died indicates how hazardous the journey through these is. It may be worth trying to see whether there is access into the cave where they are from the surface or whether it is feasible to make one if there isn’t a natural access.The fact that a diver has died indicates how hazardous the journey through these is. It may be worth trying to see whether there is access into the cave where they are from the surface or whether it is feasible to make one if there isn’t a natural access.
If it is already partly connected it would be feasible but tricky. To drill a shaft big enough to get folks through in virgin rock is difficult but not impossible, as the other alternative may be to wait for the waters to fall which, as they have said, may be months!”If it is already partly connected it would be feasible but tricky. To drill a shaft big enough to get folks through in virgin rock is difficult but not impossible, as the other alternative may be to wait for the waters to fall which, as they have said, may be months!”
The emotional and psychological toll this ordeal will have had on the children, despite their beaming smiles in photographs, also cannot be understated.The emotional and psychological toll this ordeal will have had on the children, despite their beaming smiles in photographs, also cannot be understated.
Dr. Andrea Danese, Head of the Stress & Development Lab at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, said:Dr. Andrea Danese, Head of the Stress & Development Lab at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, said:
Many of the young people trapped in the cave in Thailand are likely to develop new psychological symptoms in the short-term. They may become fearful, clingy, or jumpy; they may be fear for their safety; they may become very moody or easily upset (or, in contrast, they may become detached or numb); or they may develop headache and stomach-ache related to the intense distress.Many of the young people trapped in the cave in Thailand are likely to develop new psychological symptoms in the short-term. They may become fearful, clingy, or jumpy; they may be fear for their safety; they may become very moody or easily upset (or, in contrast, they may become detached or numb); or they may develop headache and stomach-ache related to the intense distress.
Most of these young people will recover from these symptoms in a few weeks at most. However, we can expect that a sizeable proportion of the young people involved (10-20%) will develop more enduring mental health problems related to the trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or conduct problems. These young people will benefit from psychological assessment and treatment.Most of these young people will recover from these symptoms in a few weeks at most. However, we can expect that a sizeable proportion of the young people involved (10-20%) will develop more enduring mental health problems related to the trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or conduct problems. These young people will benefit from psychological assessment and treatment.
The interior minister has arrived at the rescue camp. Press conference shouldn’t be too far away now.The interior minister has arrived at the rescue camp. Press conference shouldn’t be too far away now.
interior minister has arrived at the rescue camp #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวงinterior minister has arrived at the rescue camp #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตต้องรอด #ถ้ำหลวง
Earlier this afternoon, two of the British divers - who were among the team who found the trapped boys on Monday - arrived at the Tham Luang rescue site.Earlier this afternoon, two of the British divers - who were among the team who found the trapped boys on Monday - arrived at the Tham Luang rescue site.
Macarena Vidal, the China correspondent for El País, has tweeted photos of sitting Thai soldiers as they wait for the interior minister to deliver the press conference.Macarena Vidal, the China correspondent for El País, has tweeted photos of sitting Thai soldiers as they wait for the interior minister to deliver the press conference.
Estos soldados acaban de entrar en la boca de #thamluang . Seguimos esperando al ministro del Interior pic.twitter.com/VpGWbxs5ZBEstos soldados acaban de entrar en la boca de #thamluang . Seguimos esperando al ministro del Interior pic.twitter.com/VpGWbxs5ZB
Apparently there has been some activity at the press conference – we’re expecting it to begin soon.Apparently there has been some activity at the press conference – we’re expecting it to begin soon.
There’s some activity going on near the #ThamLaung cave, as apparently the Chiang Rai Governor and the Interior Minister are here and will also speak to the press pic.twitter.com/cepxFjKcghThere’s some activity going on near the #ThamLaung cave, as apparently the Chiang Rai Governor and the Interior Minister are here and will also speak to the press pic.twitter.com/cepxFjKcgh
The mood at the rescue site is said to be sombre, in stark contrast to the sense of elation that abounded earlier this week when the boys were found, following the death of a diver and the forecast torrential rains.The mood at the rescue site is said to be sombre, in stark contrast to the sense of elation that abounded earlier this week when the boys were found, following the death of a diver and the forecast torrential rains.
Within the local community, people are reportedly deeply upset at the events that have unfolded since people they know are trapped deep underground.Within the local community, people are reportedly deeply upset at the events that have unfolded since people they know are trapped deep underground.
“You never imagine someone you know could get trapped in a cave,” shopkeeper Patcharee Khumngen told the BBC.“You never imagine someone you know could get trapped in a cave,” shopkeeper Patcharee Khumngen told the BBC.
A boy who goes by the nickname of Note, who is trapped in the cave, bought snacks at her store when he was eight years old.A boy who goes by the nickname of Note, who is trapped in the cave, bought snacks at her store when he was eight years old.
“He’s a good boy, very friendly, and always liked to joke around,” she said. “Now that he’s in his teens he looks quite handsome .. I’ve known his parents since he was a little boy.”“He’s a good boy, very friendly, and always liked to joke around,” she said. “Now that he’s in his teens he looks quite handsome .. I’ve known his parents since he was a little boy.”
In the face of adversity, the community has united to donate food and help the rescue effort in any way they can.In the face of adversity, the community has united to donate food and help the rescue effort in any way they can.
“Every house here has been talking about the news of the boys,” Koywilai Promwijit, who works in a local salon, told the BBC. “The village has donated hundreds of packages of food.”“Every house here has been talking about the news of the boys,” Koywilai Promwijit, who works in a local salon, told the BBC. “The village has donated hundreds of packages of food.”
Varee Srichai, a farmer in Chiang Mai, has volunteered to clean the rescue site and said: “I plan to stay here until the boys are rescued.”Varee Srichai, a farmer in Chiang Mai, has volunteered to clean the rescue site and said: “I plan to stay here until the boys are rescued.”
You can read the whole story, ‘A community united in hope’, on the BBC.You can read the whole story, ‘A community united in hope’, on the BBC.
The press conference has been delayed by an hour.The press conference has been delayed by an hour.
After all that build up, press conference has been delayed 1 hour at least #ThamLuangCavesAfter all that build up, press conference has been delayed 1 hour at least #ThamLuangCaves
In a worrying development, Channel News Asia’s Indochina correspondent says it “looks like it could rain soon”.In a worrying development, Channel News Asia’s Indochina correspondent says it “looks like it could rain soon”.
Media waiting for Thai Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda, who is expected to arrive soon at #ThamLuang cave complex in northern Chiang Rai for a press conference. Looks like it could rain soon! ☔️ pic.twitter.com/NNsmpdDUXVMedia waiting for Thai Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda, who is expected to arrive soon at #ThamLuang cave complex in northern Chiang Rai for a press conference. Looks like it could rain soon! ☔️ pic.twitter.com/NNsmpdDUXV
A press conference is about to begin outside the Tham Luang caves where an announcement is expected to be made by Anupong Paojinda, the interior minister.A press conference is about to begin outside the Tham Luang caves where an announcement is expected to be made by Anupong Paojinda, the interior minister.
Our reporter Michael Safi is there.Our reporter Michael Safi is there.
All positioned for a rare second press conference this evening ne expecting major announcement #ThamLuang #Thamluangcave @matthabusby pic.twitter.com/msktost8rRAll positioned for a rare second press conference this evening ne expecting major announcement #ThamLuang #Thamluangcave @matthabusby pic.twitter.com/msktost8rR
It has been suggested that today’s search for viable sites on the mountainside to drill down from and into the caves so to reach the trapped boys have been unsuccessful. They say they will look again tomorrow.It has been suggested that today’s search for viable sites on the mountainside to drill down from and into the caves so to reach the trapped boys have been unsuccessful. They say they will look again tomorrow.
"The holes we found today all have dead ends": Birds' nest collectors from southern Thailand say they'll look for other air holes on Sat, hoping they'd find an open shaft that leads to the area where the 12 schoolboys and their coach are trapped #ThamLuang #ThamLuangRescue pic.twitter.com/gOSYvGesK9"The holes we found today all have dead ends": Birds' nest collectors from southern Thailand say they'll look for other air holes on Sat, hoping they'd find an open shaft that leads to the area where the 12 schoolboys and their coach are trapped #ThamLuang #ThamLuangRescue pic.twitter.com/gOSYvGesK9